FGCU students take on cancer in the classroom and beyond

A Florida Gulf Coast University student leader's unfortunate family past is fueling her promising future.

Friday, December 1st 2017, 6:30 PM EST by Annie Hubbell

Updated:

Friday, December 1st 2017, 7:09 PM EST

A Florida Gulf Coast University student leader's unfortunate family past is fueling her promising future.

Nicole Mampregew's grandmother passed away from cancer when she was young.

"Cancer is something that has affected everybody in some way or another," Mampregrew said.

Her family's past helped propel her passion for helping others in the medical field. She is a founding member and president of the FGCU Cancer Research Program.

"I understand what happened and why it happened, and it's been comforting to know that I'm doing something to hopefully help others not have to go through with my family did," Mampregrew said.

Inside a lab on campus, more than 70 undergraduate students are trying to halt cancer in its tracks.

"Right here in Southwest Florida we've got a really, really great oncologist, but we don't have an organization to really bring the research and the patients together, and that's what we're trying to do," said Dr. Lyndsay Rhodes, assistant professor of biology.

Students take breast cancer cells and treat them with a plant compound to see if it creates changes to their structure.

"We hope to find a treatment that is specifically targeting the cancer cells and leaving the rest of yours alone," said Xylia Horgan, vice president of the FGCU Cancer Research Program.

It's a massive project that they take on the road, breaking down their findings at schools around Southwest Florida.

"It can be really scary and we are not trying to minimize that, we are trying to help people to understand what goes on behind it," Rhodes said.

As they fight cancer in the lab, the group has created a curriculum to spark interest in STEM careers in the classroom.

"When we can push people into that mindset," said member Luke Lamos, "It's very, very beneficial for the community and for themselves."

The group hopes to raise money to help eliminate a problem that affects so many families.

"I wanted to help bridge the gap between the research aspect and the community," Horgan said.

The FGCU Cancer Research Program has been able to conduct their work thanks to community donations. If you would like to help or learn more about their cancer-fighting efforts, click here.